This centre, dedicated to the graphic arts, opened as a museum in 2011, although its origins date back to the nineteenth century, as the old Municipal Printing and Lithographic Press. Belonging to the Madrid network of municipal museums, its main purpose is the conservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage of graphic arts and printing and binding techniques.
It covers an area of 3500 square metres spread over three floors. Its facilities include more than 3000 pieces, including a 17th-century printing press, a 1789 rolling press, and a 1930 Planeta typeface machine, as well as an excellent collection of gilding bronzes (hand-held irons, plates, wheels and pallets), drawn lithographic stones, engraving plates and artistic bindings.
It also has a specialised Library and Documentation Centre, which can be used by researchers by appointment only.
Origins of the Imprenta Municipal
The origins of these printing works date back to 1853, when the San Bernardino Asylum Press was created, funded by local charity. It trained children in these trades whilst also supplying the City Council with printed material.
The activity of these workshops progressively increased with the growth of the city and municipal requirements. In 1876, its printed documents included the caption Imprenta y Litografía Municipal.
In 1877, the printing works moved to the Casa de la Panadería, and then in 1913 to the Casa de Cisneros, in Calle Sacramento, until 1934, when it settled in its current premises. In 1986, the Imprenta Artesanal was set up, charged with safeguarding the historical heritage it housed, giving rise to the current Imprenta Municipal- Artes del Libro, which opened as a museum in the year 2011.
Cultural activities at the Imprenta Municipal
The printing works have a permanent exhibition entitled The printing press and the book: a story. It reveals the history of printing and the graphic arts, a thematic journey that includes a chronological cross-sectional reading ranging from the manual printing press used in the 15th to 18th centuries, to the mechanical printing press that disappeared with the arrival of the offset, also providing a review of illustration and binding techniques.
In addition, the museum puts on temporary exhibitions related to books and the graphic world, workshops and other activities open to the public.
Apart from its informative work, it provides bookbinding services, document restoration and editing for the publications of Madrid City Council.
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